Big increase in meat consumption in Dubai

3 May 2010
DUBAI — Dubai’s meat consumption has increased dramatically if the number of animals imported for slaughtering is an indication.

Dubai Municipality has recorded a steep increase in the number of farm animals brought for tests after being imported through various ports in the emirate this year.

The civic body’s Veterinary Services Section, which conducts various tests on imported livestock to ensure animal and public health safety received 3,52,610 animals during the first quarter of this year — an 80 per cent increase from the 196,143 figure for the same period in 2009.

Head of the section Hashim Al Awadhi, told Khaleej Times that 80 per cent of the livestock are imported for slaughtering. “Only 20 per cent goes for breeding,” he said.

The official attributed the steep hike in livestock imports to increased meat consumption and resumption of livestock imports from Somalia after the ban on the country’s livestock was lifted by the UAE’s federal authorities.

“Somalia, India and Pakistan are three major countries from where we receive cows, sheep and goats. Somalia is sending a lot of livestock these days after the Ministry (of Environment and Water) lifted the ban on their imports,” he explained.

The Veterinary Quarantine Unit in the section tests all imported animals, and inspects shipments of animal foods imported and intended for re-export to ensure that they comply with required health and safety specifications in the emirate.

According to Al Awadhi, there has also been an increase in the number of shipments of imported animal feeds during the first quarter of this year. He said there were 273 shipments as compared to 237 shipments in 2009, recording a rise of 15 per cent.

A significant increase has been recorded in the number of pet food items registered with the section. A total 600 new types of pet foods were registered this year while there were only 197 new pet food items registered during the same period last year.

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